During adolescence, many adolescents experience poor mental health. They struggle with the normal stresses of puberty, racial and sexual identity tensions, bullying, and economic uncertainty.
Some adolescents live in humanitarian and fragile settings or face broader structural factors such as poverty, unemployment, and climate change. They may be at risk of developing mental health conditions, including anxiety and depression.
Adolescence
Adolescence is a time of increased stress and exploration. It can be a challenging period for mental health, especially for those with existing challenges. Adolescents can face many challenges including peer pressure to conform, social media influence, and the development of their own identity.
During this important developmental period, adolescents develop the ability to think more abstractly and independently. They also gain the capacity to learn and change their own behaviors and attitudes.
Research shows that the adolescent brain has a significant amount of white matter, which is associated with improved brain function. This expansion increases the speed and quality of neuron-to-neuron communication.
Poor mental health can affect virtually all areas of a teen’s life and is particularly prevalent in girls, LGBTQ youth, and kids from racial/ethnic minority backgrounds. These kids often do not have enough emotional or social support in their lives. The role of caring adults is critical to helping teens reframe their experiences and bolster their resilience to stress.
Teenage Years
The teenage years are well-known for moodiness, changes in relationships and the desire to experiment with a new identity. It is important that teens have access to a supportive community, and opportunities to practice healthy coping mechanisms such as mindfulness and relaxation techniques.
Adolescents are especially vulnerable to negative health behaviors, like substance use and unsafe sexual practices that can lead to unintended pregnancy and STIs. Educating teens on the risks of alcohol and drug abuse, along with creating open conversations about sexual orientation, menstrual care and safe sex, are critical to helping them make healthy choices.
Teens also need to learn about how to take responsibility for their own health, including keeping up with immunizations and screenings for conditions such as high blood pressure or cholesterol. This is especially important for teenagers living in marginalized communities, who are more likely to experience mental health challenges and face barriers to obtaining adequate care.
Young Adulthood
Young adulthood has long been a neglected time for research and policymaking. It is characterized by high rates of illness, risk taking behavior, and poor health outcomes. Young adults are disproportionately affected by many behavioral causes of death, such as injury, suicide, and substance use.
They also face unique developmental challenges, including gender differences in brain maturation and development of psychopathologies. These differences are believed to reflect the earlier onset of puberty in females and the later maturation of white matter integrity in males.
When seeking help for mental health conditions, it is important to consider age-appropriate services. Look for providers specializing in youth and adolescent care, as well as those who offer therapeutic support outside of traditional once-weekly therapy sessions (like Charlie). Many online databases and directories allow users to filter options by age range or specific needs. Also, ask your therapist or primary care physician if they have experience working with the ages of people they serve.
Middle Age
For many people, the middle years are a time when they feel more stable and secure. However, they can also be a time of increased depression, stress and the need for support from family. Practitioners can assist families in navigating changing relationships during this period to promote positive mental health and healthy peer relationships.
In this age group, women can experience perimenopause and menopause and vision changes may occur in both men and women (presbyopia). Many middle aged adults are also taking care of children and their aging parents, a role that can add to feelings of stress and depression.
The ages of 40 through 60 are an important time for youth to develop the life skills that will help them live healthier, happier and more meaningful lives. This includes developing a strong personal and social network and learning to deal with challenges in their daily lives. The use of coping strategies, such as shifting (adjustment to stressors through cognitive reappraisals and emotion regulation) and persisting (holding onto hopes for the future), can help people to manage these issues.